Border 2

does test your patience at times too. Anurag Singh has done a solid job with the direction, especially that opening war sequence. The way it's shot just pulls you in right from the start. But you know what the real highlight is? The Shared Bond! The bond between Varun, Diljit, and Ahan's characters is pure joy to watch. The whole theatre was laughing together, and that's because both the writing and dialogues hit the mark perfectly. When you see these soldiers share that brotherhood, it genuinely brings a smile to your face The writing deserves proper credit here. It never feels over the top or out of place, and what really carries it forward are the emotions. Speaking of emotions - this is probably the film's best quality. The emotional weight is real and hits you deep. There's a flashback showing their days as cadets at the National War Academy where their friendship is forged, and those moments really stick with you Now, the album is decent overall, but "Sandeshe Aate Hain" absolutely stands out. The placement is perfect too - these soldiers are at war, stakes couldn't be higher, but what keeps them going are the prayers and hopes of their loved ones waiting back home, plus the brotherhood they share with each other. When that song plays, you'll definitely smile. Also, the background score during the final moments really elevates those scenes. The second half is where things get intense with the battle sequences, and it makes up for the exhausting bits from the first half. The war scenes are done really well - you'll get strong Border (1997) vibes. That emotional pain the film carries does touch your heart. The last 30 minutes? Those are the best war scenes in the film. The stakes feel high, they're shot brilliantly, and they'll keep you hooked. There's even a scene where my entire theatre hooted! Now Look, I get it's a Sunny Deol film, but some parts do defy science and logic. Even for a mass entertainer, I feel that shouldn't be an excuse - though this is just my personal take, you might feel differently. The VFX is quite scratchy, especially in the air and sea sequences. They pointed this out in the teaser and trailer too. The sea sequences especially - you can easily tell they're digitally rendered. Considering the budget and resources available, this really could have been better. ​ The biggest issue for me? The film stretches way too much. Even if you're enjoying it initially, the exhaustion from that length catches up with you in the first half. Some parts could've easily been trimmed. It gets to a point where it takes time to get re-invested in the film, even when action is happening on screen. Varun Dhawan really surprised me here. Keeping all the memes and trolling aside, this is the first time we're seeing him as an army officer, and it feels fresh. He said he might surprise us in Border 2, and trust me, he really did! His opening sequence alone is worth it. ​ Diljit Dosanjh brings such a warm, cheeky vibe to the film. His natural screen presence is amazing - he moves from fun, playful scenes to intense moments with such ease and perfection. ​ I'm genuinely glad that Sunny Paaji isn't just shouting throughout the film. There are moments where he gets emotional, and you'll absolutely love those scenes. It's been a long time since we've seen this side of him. Of course, he's still the strong, brave officer with solid dialogue delivery that audiences come to see - and the theatre reactions prove that - but that emotional dimension adds so much. Medha Rana really surprises in her debut. She gives a strong performance that stands out. Ahan Shetty, though, is just okay and might be the weakest link here. He was actually better in his debut film Tadap. Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh have small roles but they do make their presence felt. Border 2 is a film that's enjoyable but becomes exhausting as it progresses through the first half. However, the emotional core that runs through both halves, combined with those solid war sequences in the second half, makes it worth watching. It's an absolute go for it - just be prepared for the runtime!